The word of your testimony

Our guest writer is very dear to my heart as I have seen her grow as a teenage baby Christian into a minister. Today, Torema empowers with a word on the importance of a testimony, and howsignificant it is to our Christian journey.

On the other side of every test is a testimony (evidence and proof of God, a fresh personal revelation of Him for you to make public).

We often say “behind every test is a testimony”, but a testimony of what exactly? A true testimony points to Christ… it is not just a story of how you survived or how strong you are… every test is an opportunity for you to KNOW / EXPERIENCE God in a new way. Don’t miss the opportunity… turn to Him in your time of trial. When you make it through you will be able to share with others what He revealed to you about Himself through your test, how He taught you to fight and how He strengthened you to endure… Xx

Revelation 12:11 (KJV)

And they overcame Him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. “

Love not your life to the death

A testimony is evidence or proof of something – that it exists or is true. It is first hand authentication of a fact. An outward sign. An open acknowledgement.

Our testimonies are an open acknowledgement, first hand authentication, proof and evidence of Jesus.Revelation 12:11 tells us that our testimony is part of how we overcome the enemy. The scripture also reveals that to truly testify, we cannot love our lives unto death i.e. we cannot fear our own loss, destruction or end because of the words we proclaim. Death not only refers to a physical state, but also the death of our flesh that occurs spiritually when we may be mocked, rejected or ostracized due to the testimony we hold.

Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

“Your life” refers to living for yourself, i.e. your own glory. To truly testify of Jesus, we must be willing to lay down our image of having things all together. To testify we must expose ourselves, displaying our weaknesses, hurts, disappointments and failings in order that His grace, strength and power might be displayed. Only when we are willing to die to our reputation can we give a true and pure testimony that glorifies Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Your Testimony Blesses Others

Revelation 19:10 tells us that …the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. In other words, when we testify (give a clear witness to Jesus) we are in fact prophesying. Prophecy is not just to foretell the future, but as the scriptures reveal, includes that which builds-up, urges and consoles the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:3 (NLT)

But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

The word of our testimony is a powerful weapon. It not only overcomes the enemy, but also promotes growth in other believers that they too may become a living and speaking witness and evidence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not be afraid to share your testimony because it is in your weaknesses that His strength is displayed. It is in your troubles and needs that you come to know Him as healer, provider and restorer and this is the truth that He desires you to publicly make known. Don’t look at yourself, neither fear the loss of your own reputation (life), but look to Him and realize that your testimony is of HIM and not of you. Selah x